The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is coming back
this spring to fill enthusiasts with joy – and a hole in the modern pony car’s
lineup. The iconic name returns on the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 which Ford teases as
“the epitome of naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 performance in a new golden
age of power.” The new Mustang Mach 1 will fill an interesting gap in the
lineup, slotting between the Mustang GT Performance Pack 2 and the
high-performance Shelby GT350 model.
For the moment, Ford is coy on specifics
but says the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 will be “most track-ready 5.0-liter Mustang
ever.” The teaser photos showing a half-camouflaged prototype do offer some
clues on what to expect from the new Mach 1. At the front, we can see a more
aggressive bumper and two circular air intakes (or fog light holes) in the
grille.
These elements are clearly a tribute to
the original 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Both the upper and lower grilles feature
a honeycomb pattern which we all know is automakers’ way of signaling the
existence of more power.
The rear view is arguably even more
exciting as it’s dominated by a generous spoiler and massive quad round
exhausts flanking a diffuser carved in the sharp-looking rear bumper. The
close-up photo reveals a big red Brembo caliper behind the black 19-inch wheel
shod with 305/30 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tires.
While the packaging looks promising, what
should we expect in the power department? Well, the naturally aspirated
5.0-liter V8 could deliver around 500 horsepower, which would make sense as
some sources claim the Mach 1 will effectively replace the 480 HP Mustang
Bullitt. Whether that’s the case or not, we can’t wait to hear more from Ford.
